Device and method of using the same for removing a flowable material contained within a vessel or cavity

Abstract

A device for removing a flowable material such as a fluid contained within a vessel or cavity includes a nozzle body having an outlet, a first side portion impermeable to the flowable material located distally from the outlet, a second side portion permeable to the flowable material located proximate to the outlet, the second side portion being in fluid communication with the outlet through the nozzle body, and negative pressure generating means operatively associated with the outlet for generating negative pressure at the second side portion of the nozzle body sufficient to draw the flowable material into the nozzle body without damaging or substantially disrupting the vessel or cavity. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

1 . A device for removing flowable material contained within a vessel or cavity, said device comprising:
 a nozzle body including:
 an outlet; 
 a first side portion being impermeable to the flowable material and located distally from the outlet; and 
 a second side portion being permeable to the flowable material and located proximate to the outlet, wherein the second side portion is in fluid communication therethrough with the outlet; and 
   negative pressure generating means operatively associated with the outlet for generating negative pressure at the second side portion thereof sufficient to draw the flowable material therein without damaging or substantially disrupting the vessel or cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible tubing fluidly connecting the outlet of the nozzle body to the negative pressure generating means. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the negative pressure generating means is a pump. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the pump is a syringe. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second side portion comprises:
 at least one inlet disposed therein, said at least one inlet being in fluid communication with the outlet via an inner volume defined by the nozzle body; and 
 said at least one inlet comprises a longitudinal axis having an angle of tilt in the range of up to 90° as measured from the longitudinal axis extending through the proximal end of the nozzle body. 
 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  comprising four inlets. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  comprising eight inlets. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the angle of tilt is in the range of from about 10° to 80°. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the angle of tilt is in the range of from about 20° to 70°. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein second side portion comprises an exterior surface located on a side opposite from the first side portion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the external surface of the second side portion of the nozzle body comprises a profile selected from the group consisting of a concave profile, a convex profile, a planar profile, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a flange extending peripherally around the nozzle body between the first and second side portions. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the diameter of the flange is up to 10 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the diameter of the flange is from about 2 mm to 8 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the second side portion comprises a plurality of spaced-apart inlets disposed therein along the flange, said plurality of spaced-apart inlets being in fluid communication with the outlet via an inner volume defined by the nozzle body. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein said plurality of inlets each comprise a longitudinal axis having an angle of tilt in the range of up to 90° as measured from a longitudinal axis extending through the proximal end of the nozzle body. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the angle of tilt is in the range of from about 10° to 80°. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the angle of tilt is in the range of from about 20° to 70°. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first side portion of the nozzle body comprises a flat truncated surface. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first side portion of the nozzle body comprises a forward tapered surface. 
     
     
         21 . A nozzle body of a device for removing flowable material contained within a vessel or cavity, said nozzle body comprising:
 an outlet, said outlet being configured for fluid attachment with a negative pressure generating assembly;   a first side portion being impermeable to the flowable material and located distally from the outlet; and   a second side portion being permeable to the flowable material and located proximate to the outlet, wherein the second side portion is in fluid communication therethrough with the outlet.   
     
     
         22 . A method of removing a flowable material contained within a vessel or cavity, said method comprising:
 inserting the device of  claim 1  into said vessel or cavity;   positioning the nozzle body so that the second side portion is proximate to the flowable material and remote from the surface of the vessel or cavity; and   generating negative pressure at the second side portion of the nozzle body sufficient to draw the flowable material from the vessel or cavity into the nozzle body without damaging or substantially disrupting the vessel or cavity.   
     
     
         23 . A kit comprising a plurality of the devices of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         24 . A kit comprising a plurality of the nozzle bodies of  claim 21 .